e. You must know, that whilst I was carrying a load of grain
underground, I saw a place where these dogs of assassins hide their
plunder. They have made some holes under an old building, in which they
shut up all the things they have stolen. They are just now gone out for
some new robbery, and I will go with you and show you the place, so
that you may recover your money."

So saying, she took the way towards some tumbled-down houses, and
showed the seven brothers the mouth of the pit; whereupon Giangrazio,
who was bolder than the rest, entering it, found there all the money of
which they had been robbed. Then taking it with them, they set out, and
walked towards the seashore, where they found the whale, and told him
the good advice which Time--who is the father of counsel--had given
them. And whilst they stood talking of their journey and all that had
befallen them, they saw the robbers suddenly appear, armed to the
teeth, who had followed in their footsteps. At this sight they
exclaimed, "Alas, alas! we are now wholly lost, for here come the
robbers armed, and they will not leave the skin on our bodies."

"Fear not," replied the whale, "for I can save you out of the fire, and
will thus requite the love you have shown me; so get upon my back, and
I will quickly carry you to a place of safety."

Cianna and her brothers, seeing the foe at their heels and the water up
to their throats, climbed upon the whale, who, keeping far off from the
rocks, carried them to within sight of Naples. But being afraid to land
them on account of the shoals and shallows, he said, "Where would you
like me to land you? On the shore of Amalfi?" And Giangrazio answered,
"See whether that cannot be avoided, my dear fish. I do not wish to
land at any place hereabouts; for at Massa they say barely good-day, at
Sorrento thieves are plenty, at Vico they say you may go your way, at
Castel-a-mare no one says how are ye."

Then the whale, to please them, turned about and went toward the
Salt-rock, where he left them; and they got put on shore by the first
fishing-boat that passed. Thereupon they returned to their own country,
safe and sound and rich, to the great joy and consolation of their
mother and father. And, thanks to the goodness of Cianna, they enjoyed
a happy life, verifying the old saying--

"Do good whenever you can, and forget it."

XXV

THE RAVEN

It is truly a great proverb--"Rather a crooked sight than a crooked
judgmen